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Why Networking Matters

US Department of Labor reports that 63% of new jobs are secured through networking. They report that as of July 1, 2014 there were 4.6 million job openings and approximately 80% of them are never advertised. The average number of applicants for a given job is 118.

The numbers are staggering. If you are currently conducting your job search behind your computer searching job sites, you are missing a significant number of opportunities. Your efforts are further hampered by companies using talent management software that screen out approximately 50% of all resumes submitted before a human ever sees them.

What is a job seeker to do? Network! It is more critical than ever that if you hope to land that next position, you need to be networking. While initially networking is a valuable source of information, you can build a network of supporters who can transform your job search. Supporters can forward your resume to the hiring manager to increase the likelihood it will at least be reviewed. Supporters can offer a recommendation which is valuable to the hiring manager. Supporters can provide insights on the hiring process at the company, the particular position and the team.

General rule of thumb for a successful job search, spend ten times more time networking than sitting behind your computer. In the face of the data from the Department of Labor you can’t afford to avoid networking. It is the single most important thing you can to ensure a successful job search.